Thoughts on CFL fluorescent light bulbs

[twinklesweep]

I'm delighted to use these bulbs, mainly for three reasons:

(1) The infrequency that I have to haul out a ladder to climb to the ceiling to replace those that are far out of reach (or have someone do it for me).

(2) The reduced cost of electricity in terms of the cost of operating CFL bulbs in contract to incandescent bulbs.

(3) The reduced cost of air conditioning in terms of how much heat is generated by incandescent bulbs, especially noticeable from the high hats in the kitchen and the banks of lights in the bathrooms here in TV.

CFL bulbs are available considerably more inexpensively on websites like ebay.com and amazon.com than in local stores, and they are made in many more styles than the common curlicue-shaped ones, including the floods that fit the high hats.

The only drawback I can think of is the possibility of breakage, but I for one am used to this possibility after decades of using fluorescent tubes.

To me this is a win-win situation; I cannot imagine anyone NOT being in favor of the three reasons I mention (and likely others). Your thoughts?

[philnpat]

Getting away from incandescent bulbs is a win-win for everyone. Cfl bulbs , as you stated, are a good choice. Don't forget about LED lights.
Cfl bulbs have a small amount of mercury in them and must be disposed of properly. LED bulbs are even a bit more efficient but the downside is cost. If you look for deals, you'll find some great sales. I replaced my flood with LED floods in the kitchen and they look great. Another plus is that most LED bulbs are dimmable where many Cfl bulbs are not.

[logdog]

Not a win-win for everyone... incandescent bulbs were made in the USA while almost all CFL's are made in China.

[Indydealmaker]

There are reports that the life of a CFL is dramatically shorter unless left on for a long time. Short usage cycles shorten the life. Also CFLs grow dimmer with use.

The greatest potential lies with LEDs.

The most negative aspect of CFLs is the fact that we have been extorted to use them in lieu of incandescent. If they were truly better the free marketplace would have led the way.

[CFrance]

The other thing about CFL bulbs is their durability. After three $15 three-way bulbs burned their middle sections out in less than a couple of months, I gave up on them. I have them in all our lamps that only take single bulbs but will no longer use them in three-way lamps.

My other problems with them... there is a delay when you turn some of them on, and the light is so harsh compared to incandescents . On the three that burned out, I called the recycle place for the county where we lived in MI, and they refused to take them. So now what? As usual, the facilities are not up to date with the law. I took them out there and said, "Here's the law, here's the bulbs," and left them there.

I broke one on the garage floor as we were packing to move, and didn't know what the heck to do. Call HazMat?

I will try LED's if someone can show me one that has a soft glow like that of the incandescents. I don't mind spending the extra $ if they're not going to break in two months.

I am a serious recycler and save-the-planet person. But those bulbs brought me to my knees.

[buggyone]

Not a win-win for everyone... incandescent bulbs were made in the USA while almost all CFL's are made in China.

How many Americans were displaced from their job as a light bulb maker?

How many brand name sneakers are made in the US compared to the name brands made in China?

[SantaClaus]

I'm not a big fan of CFLs. It takes a large, expensive bulb to be dimable. The cheaper ones start dim and slowly build to full brightness. The spirals are quite delicate and make a big mess when they break. They have mercury. Not a fan, but we use quite a few that were bought before LEDs were affordable. Home Depot has some great LEDs that are warm white, dimmable and are full brightness from the start. They are about $8 each, which is higher than a comparable cfl but they are MUCH more rugged, and I believe they will last the 10 years they are advertised for. They are by Cree, which is a US company (local to me). I don't know if they are made here, but at least it's a domestic company. The only thing I don't care for is they don't dim to real low level. I'm not sure if it's my dimmer's fault or the bulb, but otherwise they are really nice. I'd say buy one and try it out. I started with one and now have 6. Make sure to get the warm white, though, not the daylight (harsh).

EDIT: they are $10. They are made in the US. Here's the link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cree-60W-Equivalent-Soft-White-2700K-A19-Dimmable-LED-Light-Bulb-BA19-08027OMF-12DE26-2U100/204592770

[CFrance]

I'm not a big fan of CFLs. It takes a large, expensive bulb to be dimable. The cheaper ones start dim and slowly build to full brightness. The spirals are quite delicate and make a big mess when they break. They have mercury. Not a fan, but we use quite a few that were bought before LEDs were affordable. Home Depot has some great LEDs that are warm white, dimmable and are full brightness from the start. They are about $8 each, which is higher than a comparable cfl but they are MUCH more rugged, and I believe they will last the 10 years they are advertised for. They are by Cree, which is a US company (local to me). I don't know if they are made here, but at least it's a domestic company. The only thing I don't care for is they don't dim to real low level. I'm not sure if it's my dimmer's fault or the bulb, but otherwise they are really nice. I'd say buy one and try it out. I started with one and now have 6. Make sure to get the warm white, though, not the daylight (harsh).

EDIT: they are $10. They are made in the US. Here's the link: Cree 60W Equivalent Soft White (2700K) A19 Dimmable LED Light Bulb-BA19-08027OMF-12DE26-2U100 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cree-60W-Equivalent-Soft-White-2700K-A19-Dimmable-LED-Light-Bulb-BA19-08027OMF-12DE26-2U100/204592770)
Thank you for this information, Santa.:wave:

[SantaClaus]

If you don't need dimming, Walmart has an LED for a couple of bucks less and a somewhat harsher color, but it's fine for a garage or utility room (we have them in the laundry). No-name and probably Chineese, though. Oh, one other thing, supposedly LED light is almost invisible to bugs so they should be good outside. Haven't really researched that, so it could be an urban myth.

[NottaVillager]

We have stored a closet full of incandescent bulbs. We hope to never have to buy any CFLs.

[B767drvr]

I'm delighted to use these bulbs, mainly for three reasons:

(1) The infrequency that I have to haul out a ladder to climb to the ceiling to replace those that are far out of reach (or have someone do it for me).

(2) The reduced cost of electricity in terms of the cost of operating CFL bulbs in contract to incandescent bulbs.

(3) The reduced cost of air conditioning in terms of how much heat is generated by incandescent bulbs, especially noticeable from the high hats in the kitchen and the banks of lights in the bathrooms here in TV.

CFL bulbs are available considerably more inexpensively on websites like ebay.com and amazon.com than in local stores, and they are made in many more styles than the common curlicue-shaped ones, including the floods that fit the high hats.

The only drawback I can think of is the possibility of breakage, but I for one am used to this possibility after decades of using fluorescent tubes.

To me this is a win-win situation; I cannot imagine anyone NOT being in favor of the three reasons I mention (and likely others). Your thoughts?


"A new study shows that CFL bulbs also emit high levels of ultraviolet radiation—specifically, UVC and UVA rays. In fact, the UV rays are so strong that they can actually burn skin and skin cells. Experts say the radiation could initiate cell death and cause skin cancer in its deadliest form—melanoma.


In every bulb the researchers tested, they found that the protective phosphor coating of the light bulb was cracked, allowing dangerous UV rays to escape. Healthy skin cells exposed to CFLs showed a decrease in their proliferation rate, an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species, and a decrease in ability to contract collagen."

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: A New Cancer Risk in Your Home | The Alliance for Natural Health USA (http://www.anh-usa.org/compact-fluorescent-light-bulbs-a-new-cancer-risk-in-your-home/)

[Bonanza]

Getting away from incandescent bulbs is a win-win for everyone. Cfl bulbs , as you stated, are a good choice. Don't forget about LED lights.
Cfl bulbs have a small amount of mercury in them and must be disposed of properly. LED bulbs are even a bit more efficient but the downside is cost. If you look for deals, you'll find some great sales. I replaced my flood with LED floods in the kitchen and they look great. Another plus is that most LED bulbs are dimmable where many Cfl bulbs are not.

Multiply that "small amount of mercury" in the CFLs
and what do you have?
Tons of mercury from millions of light bulbs
and another contaminated land fill,
that leaches to God know where else.

Yeah -- another great move.
Doesn't anyone ever think about the consequences???

[2BNTV]

I'm delighted to use these bulbs, mainly for three reasons:

(1) The infrequency that I have to haul out a ladder to climb to the ceiling to replace those that are far out of reach (or have someone do it for me).

(2) The reduced cost of electricity in terms of the cost of operating CFL bulbs in contract to incandescent bulbs.

(3) The reduced cost of air conditioning in terms of how much heat is generated by incandescent bulbs, especially noticeable from the high hats in the kitchen and the banks of lights in the bathrooms here in TV.

CFL bulbs are available considerably more inexpensively on websites like ebay.com and amazon.com than in local stores, and they are made in many more styles than the common curlicue-shaped ones, including the floods that fit the high hats.

The only drawback I can think of is the possibility of breakage, but I for one am used to this possibility after decades of using fluorescent tubes.

To me this is a win-win situation; I cannot imagine anyone NOT being in favor of the three reasons I mention (and likely others). Your thoughts?


:agree:

I had 4 solar tubes installed, and two of them tie to a CFl type bulb, I don't have to turn on a light all day and just for a couple of minutes at night.
That works for me. :smiley:

We have stored a closet full of incandescent bulbs. We hope to never have to buy any CFLs.

I also stored more than a lifetime, of incandescent bulbs. I'm good to go. :smiley:

[NoMoSno]

The only change in my electric bill is...it has gone up.

[philnpat]

[QUOTE=Bonanza;863857][B][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][CENTER][SIZE="4"]Multiply that "small amount of mercury" in the CFLs
and what do you have?
Tons of mercury from millions of light bulbs
and another contaminated land fill,
that leaches to God know where else.

Cfl bulbs aren't the only bulbs containing mercury. Fluorescent tubes used in almost all retail stores, offices and schools contain mercury. The recycling costs exceed the original cost of the bulbs.
Just another reason to switch to LEDs.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

CFLs are great except that I can't see anything when I used them. They would be better if they actually provided light. But they do cost more, don't really last much longer, take American jobs to China and the process of making them is harmful to the environment so I guess all in all they are worth it......to the manufacturers.

[SantaClaus]

383853838638387http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/18/y7ede2y5.jpg

[SantaClaus]

And, yes, fewer insects. This is a summary of a study out of the University Of Georgia Department Of Entomology:
In short, the research indicates that since insects are attracted to UV light, and Cree LEDs emit little or no power in the UV spectrum insects just aren’t interested and a less interested bug means fewer bugs present where Cree LED’S are used, period. The article states, “Color sensitivity in the UV spectrum plays an important role in foraging, navigation, and mate selection in both flying and terrestrial invertebrate animals. This attraction to UV light has made insects a useful model for understanding visual sensitivity to UV light. Cree LEDs emit little or no power in the UV spectrum. Incandescent, fluorescent, and metal halide sources emit a substantial amount of UV radiation, thus it is likely that bugs are less attracted to fixtures utilizing Cree LEDs.”

You can read the study here: http://www.cree.com/~/media/Files/Cree/Lighting/Misc%20Tech%20Docs/InsectVision_UVColorandLEDLight.pdf

DISCLAIMER: I have no financial relationship with Cree, I'm just a fan.

[old moe]

How many Americans were displaced from their job as a light bulb maker?

How many brand name sneakers are made in the US compared to the name brands made in China?

:mmmm:none of these JUStIFY, taking any jobs out of AMERCIA ,:spoken:

[twinklesweep]

I have no doubt that LED lights are the wave of the future. However, I did a rough count in my home and found that I use more than EIGHTY light bulbs inside and out! Given the cost of LED lights, there is no way I could replace every bulb, at least at this point.

The thirty-second warmup is trivial to me, and I've never used dimmer switches. We all have different needs and wants.

I am happy just to have gotten rid of the heat-producing incandescent bulbs that go back to the days of Thomas Edison and that burn out so frequently. And I might add that the last incandescent bulbs I bought WERE made in China....

As far as mercury is concerned, as pointed out in an earlier post, we've been dealing with this issue for decades with the use of fluorescent tubes. Is it more of a problem now (other than the fact that it was easier to break a long tube than it is a CFL ("C" meaning "compact")?

LED lights will come down in price with competition. I'll be interested when they're more affordable. Meantime, the change shows in my electric bill presumably on both fronts--lower lighting costs AND lower a/c costs. And nowadays it's a rarity that I'm up on a ladder changing light bulbs--and THAT'S a relief!